327. Barriers to Positive Health Outcomes in the HIV-Infected Cancer Clinic Population

Abstract

BackgroundSignificant disparities in morbidity and mortality from cancer in HIV-infected persons exist compared with those with cancer in the general population. This study sought to identify psychological, social and economic factors impacting or impeding cancer care in the HIV-infected population.MethodsA voluntary, anonymous one-time questionnaire was completed by patients diagnosed with cancer who are HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC). Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use served as the theoretical framework for assessing psychological, social, and economic barriers to care. We used the chi-square test to evaluate the association between HIV status and barriers to accessing cancer care.ResultsA total of 25 HIV-infected and 100 HIV-uninfected cases were included. More HIV-infected patients with cancer experienced self-esteem and fear barriers to a greater degree than their HIV-uninfected counterparts (28% vs. 15% for self-esteem, and 40% vs. 21%). A significant proportion of HIV-infected individuals reported experiencing insufficient social support (32% vs. 10% in the HIV-uninfected population, P = 0.01). HIV-infected individuals reported that they did not feel looked down upon in the cancer clinic. They also described that their cancer and HIV diagnoses were delivered in a similar manner by the provider.ConclusionGiven that HIV-infected persons are experiencing lower survival rates for most cancer subtypes when compared with their HIV-uninfected counterparts, there is a need to further investigate the feelings of fear, low self-esteem, and insufficient support reported in the HIV-infected sample. Cancer care may need to be tailored to reflect the differences in psychological barriers and enabling resources that continue to be disproportionately prevalent in HIV-infected patients. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.